Print

Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce

Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce
Print Recipe

This Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce is a fresh and lighter take on classic cheeseburger flavors. Combining seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, crisp romaine lettuce, tangy pickles, juicy tomatoes, and sharp red onions, all tossed in a creamy, tangy special sauce, this salad delivers all the savory goodness of a cheeseburger without the bun. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick lunch, hearty snack, or casual dinner with plenty of fresh veggies and customizable options for every taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb ground beef

Cheese

  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated or cubed

Vegetables

  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup pickles, sliced
  • 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

Special Sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp pickle juice (adjust to taste)

Other

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking and drizzling)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the ground beef: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through—about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the special sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, and a splash of pickle juice. Adjust the quantities to balance tanginess and creaminess to your liking.
  3. Chop the vegetables: Rinse and dry the romaine lettuce, then chop it into bite-size pieces. Thinly slice red onion, tomatoes, and pickles. Grate or cube the cheddar cheese.
  4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl or platter, combine the lettuce, cooked beef, cheese, pickles, tomatoes, and onions. Drizzle the special sauce evenly over the salad and toss gently to coat everything in that creamy, tangy flavor.
  5. Serve immediately: For the best texture and flavor, serve the salad fresh with an optional extra drizzle of special sauce or your favorite burger toppings.

Notes

  • Use fresh, crisp lettuce such as romaine or iceberg for crunch and structure.
  • Don’t overcook the beef; remove from heat just as it’s fully browned to keep it juicy.
  • Make the special sauce ahead and chill to let flavors meld for better taste.
  • Adding cheese while the beef is warm helps it melt slightly for added creaminess.
  • Serve the salad immediately to avoid soggy greens and separated dressing.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger salad, special sauce salad, gluten free salad, low carb cheeseburger, quick lunch, healthy burger salad

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/cheeseburger-salad-with-special-sauce/